A team at Amrita Hospital removed a surgical instrument left in a Kerala woman’s abdomen, ending years of pain and prompting scrutiny.
A surgical instrument left inside a 51-year-old woman’s abdomen during a hysterectomy at Alappuzha Medical College in 2021 has been removed after she suffered years of unexplained pain, triggering a government inquiry and possible legal action.
Persistent Pain After 2021 Surgery Went Undiagnosed for Years
Usha Joseph, a resident of Punnapra, had undergone surgery to remove a uterine fibroid in May 2021. According to her family, she continued to experience persistent abdominal pain after the procedure and repeatedly sought treatment at the same hospital, but the cause was not identified.
The issue came to light only recently when an X-ray — taken after she consulted another doctor for suspected kidney stones — revealed an artery forceps inside her abdomen. She was subsequently shifted to a private hospital in Kochi, where surgeons removed the instrument.
Family members alleged that their concerns were ignored for years and said they plan to file a police complaint. They also claimed hospital authorities initially offered to remove the instrument but did not address compensation.
Health Minister Orders Probe, Promises Strict Action in Surgical Lapse Case
Kerala Health Minister Veena George described the incident as “painful” and said strict action would follow. A preliminary inquiry report has been submitted to the Director of Medical Education, and a panel of senior doctors from other medical colleges has been tasked with conducting a detailed investigation.
The minister added that any staff found responsible would face suspension and legal proceedings. The case will also be referred to police based on the inquiry findings.
Medical Negligence: Failure to Meet Standard of Care Leading to Patient Harm
Medical negligence () occurs when a healthcare professional or institution fails to provide the standard of care expected, resulting in harm to a patient. It may involve errors in diagnosis, treatment, surgical procedures, medication, post-operative care or failure to obtain informed consent.
In surgical settings, negligence can include lapses in safety protocols such as improper instrument counts, inadequate monitoring or ignoring persistent symptoms after a procedure.
Such incidents not only endanger patient health but also erode trust in the healthcare system, often leading to legal action, compensation claims and calls for stronger accountability, better training and stricter adherence to clinical safety guidelines.
Retired Doctor Denies Role, Points to Possible Instrument Counting Lapses
A retired senior doctor whose name was linked to the surgery denied direct involvement, stating the operation took place during the COVID-19 period when she was not handling major cases. She also said the object seen in scans was a small “mosquito forceps,” not scissors, and suggested the error could be due to systemic lapses in instrument counting.
However, the health minister rejected claims of procedural gaps in government hospitals, saying standard World Health Organization safety protocols — including instrument counts — are mandatory.
The case has reignited debate over operating theatre protocols, accountability and post-surgical follow-up in public hospitals. Health officials noted that leaving instruments inside patients is a serious violation of safety norms and that such incidents would not be tolerated.
For Joseph, the focus is now on recovery after years of pain and uncertainty, as authorities work to determine how the instrument remained undetected for so long and who is responsible
References:
- Medical Negligence – The Judicial Approach by Indian Courts – (https://asiindia.org/medical-negligence-the-judicial-approach-by-indian-courts/)
Source-Medindia